We got a sneak peek of an amazing book! This excerpt comes from “Meditate Your Weight: A 21-Day Retreat to Optimize Your Metabolism and Feel Great.” It dives into how meditation might be the key to unlocking better health for you. Stay strong, both physically and mentally!
Meditation is a lot simpler than most people think, but it can feel a bit mysterious. How does it work, really? Even scientists are still figuring it out. This mystery can sometimes create some misunderstandings about meditation, so let’s clear a few things up.
First, meditation isn’t some mystical or New Age thing. While it has been practiced in various religious and cultural traditions throughout history, meditation at its core is a mental practice. It’s a way of training your mind. It has actual physical effects on your brain and nervous system that can be measured by advanced technology, such as fMRI brain scanners, and traditional methods like blood tests and heart rate monitors. Over the past 25 years, more than 3,000 studies have been conducted at reputable institutions like Harvard, Yale, and Stanford. These studies show that meditation helps people lead healthier and happier lives.
You might think, “Meditation just doesn’t work for me,” or “I can’t meditate.” But the truth is, meditation works for everyone, and anyone can do it. When you’re learning to meditate, it’s like a baby learning to walk. Falling down is part of the process. Just as a baby doesn’t give up walking, you shouldn’t give up on meditation simply because it feels challenging at first. With practice, even just a few minutes a day, you’ll improve.
Some people get caught up in thinking there’s only one “right” way to meditate. In the early days of meditation’s popularity, there were a lot of strict rules about what constituted “real” meditation. But the reality is, any type of meditation is valid. Whether you visualize, count your breaths, or simply take a moment of quiet in your day, you’re meditating. The goal is to find what works best for you and stick with it.
You also don’t need to meditate for long periods to benefit. Consistency is more important than duration. If sitting still for 20 minutes feels like a chore, it’s better to meditate for just five minutes at a time, but do it every day. Even short meditation sessions can make a big difference in reducing stress and improving your overall wellbeing.
Curious to learn more? Check out “Meditate Your Weight” for the full scoop and get started on your journey to better health through meditation.
